Hunt, Gabrielle R., Mathews, Ben, Higgins, Daryl J., Finkelhor, David, Willis, Megan L., Haslam, Divna M., Lawrence, David, Meinck, Franziska, Thomas, Hannah J., Malacova, Eva, Pacella, Rosana ORCID: 0000-0002-9742-1957 and Scott, James G. (2024) The prevalence of child sexual abuse perpetrated by leaders or other adults in religious organizations in Australia. Child Abuse and Neglect:106946. ISSN 0145-2134 (doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106946)

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Abstract

Background
Numerous national public inquiries have highlighted the problem of child sexual abuse in religious organizations. Despite this, evidence of population-wide prevalence is scarce.

Objective
To provide the first nationally representative prevalence estimates of child sexual abuse perpetrated by adults in religious organizations in Australia.

Methods
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) surveyed 8503 people aged 16 and over about their experiences of child maltreatment. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated based on responses to the child sexual abuse questions from the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-R2: Adapted Version (ACMS).

Results
One in 250 people reported being sexually abused as a child by an adult in a religious organization (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %). Men reported significantly higher rates of child sexual abuse by these perpetrators (0.8 %, 95 % CI, 0.5–1.2 %), compared to women (0.1 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.3 %). This type of sexual abuse was overwhelmingly perpetrated by men (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %), compared to women (0 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.1 %), and was substantially more often experienced in Catholic organizations (71.9 %) than other Christian denominations or other religions. Prevalence of child sexual abuse in religious organizations has declined over time (2.2 % of men 65 years and older, compared with 0.2 % of 16–24-year-old men).

Conclusions
Child sexual abuse has been widespread in religious organizations in Australia. A decline over time indicates progress has been made in preventing sexual abuse of children. Religious organizations must take all reasonable measures to prevent child sexual abuse, with a particular need for interventions targeting male leaders, and organizational cultures.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	child maltreatment, Australia
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Vulnerable Children and Families
Last Modified:	19 Aug 2024 12:10
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/47713

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